4. You Get What You Give
You Get What You Give
Arden
I hit send on my reply to Charlotte Miller, push back from the mahogany desk in my home office, and glance toward Reese where he leans against a bookcase.
He lifts a dark eyebrow. “Well?”
“She gave birth to a healthy girl.”
The corners of his lips lift, then his brow furrows. “Sucks that Steve wasn’t there.”
We lapse into grief-loaded silence.
Reese is the first to push through it. “Cute kid?”
I hesitate. “She will be, I’m sure.”
Reese chokes. “Did you just call a baby ugly?”
“Of course not. They’re all beautiful.” I clear my throat. “In their own way. She’s a newborn. They come out a little wrinkled and flaky. She just needs some time to acclimate .”
Reese approaches and looks at the photo over my shoulder. “Is that conehead normal?”
“Jesus, Reese. Yes, it happens sometimes from the birth canal. Henry had one too.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s right. He did.”
“Charlotte gave her the name I suggested,” I say, a touch of pride sneaking into my tone.
“Nice.”
I stand. “On to business. She’s staying in Blackwater. Do you have a progress report for me?”
He rolls his shoulders and cracks his thick neck. “Yeah. Guys like Polford make me feel like I need a shower.”
Agreed . “But will he take the bait?”
Reese snorts. “No question.”
“Then finish it.”